GSA Technology Council

The 3G BlackBerry Tour  from Research In Motion (RIM) will be available Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on July 12. Verizon Wireless has announced that customers can pre-order the BlackBerry Tour for $199.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement online at www.verizonwireless.com/tour.

The BlackBerry Tour joins the BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Curve 8330 (available in either silver or pink), BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 and BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphones in the Verizon Wireless portfolio. The BlackBerry Tour is a 3G world phone, giving customers the option to make phone calls in 220 countries and to access e-mail and Internet in any of the 175 countries where Verizon Wireless provides data roaming services. It is also packed with features customers expect from industry leaders, including RIM’s popular push-based mobile solution for e-mail; messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking; a 3.2 megapixel camera with geo-tagging and video recording; advanced multimedia capabilities; built-in GPS; full HTML Web browsing; and support for Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service. It supports Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music with Rhapsody and VZ NavigatorSM services. BlackBerry Enterprise customers will find the stylish BlackBerry Tour has all the BlackBerry security profiles that make this an efficient business tool. A model of the BlackBerry Tour without a camera will also be available.

Customers can purchase either the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone or the BlackBerry Curve 8330 for $49.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement for a voice plan with e-mail feature or an e-mail plan. The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 and BlackBerry Storm 9530 are available for $79.99 and $149.99 respectively after $70 mail-in rebates with new two-year customer agreements for a voice plan with e-mail feature or an e-mail plan. Customers receive rebates in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

via Verizon Wireless

The Clemson Small Business Development Center is presenting a FREE tax workshop for prospective and new small business owners. The workshop will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 in Room #2 of the Greenville Technical College Admissions Office (McAlister Square), at 225 South Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville. To reserve a seat, please call the SBDC at 864. 370.1545.

The Small Business Tax Workshop contains general information about different types of business organizations, record keeping requirements and business tax returns. This workshop is a taxpayer education program sponsored by the Clemson Small Business Development Center, the SC Business Initiative (formerly SC Women’s Business Center), the IRS, South Carolina Enrolled Agents and the SC Department of Revenue. It is directed toward the small businessperson who is starting a business or has recently started a small business in the service, retail or manufacturing area.

The morning session will cover federal tax requirements for small businesses and the afternoon session will cover state tax and employment security obligations. A packet of very helpful publications is given to each participant.

To register for the workshop or for more information, contact the Small Business Development Center via e-mail: sbostic@clemson.edu or by telephone: 864.370.1545.

Yahoo! Inc. has announced that Penny Baldwin has been appointed to senior vice president, global integrated marketing and brand management. She assumes this newly created position immediately and reports to Yahoo!’s chief marketing officer, Elisa Steele.

Baldwin will lead the company’s global brand efforts, and is responsible for developing and executing Yahoo!’s brand marketing approach including brand management, corporate messaging, integrated marketing and advertising.

“One of Yahoo!’s greatest assets is its brand,” said Steele. “Our integrated, global approach is critical to our success and we have a deep business commitment to fulfill our promise to our users, customers and partners. Penny is uniquely qualified to lead the effort and her leadership, experiences, knowledge and skills are excellent additions to the Yahoo! marketing team.”

She is a 20-year veteran of global brand strategy development and execution across all internal and market-facing touch points. Most recently, Baldwin served as Managing Partner of Young & Rubicam Brands, Y&R Advertising and Wunderman Direct Marketing. As agency leader and manager, she was responsible for leading the efforts of large global teams across industries. Her experiences span technology, retail, packaged goods, finance, travel, gaming, wireless communications, entertainment, healthcare and sports marketing.

Baldwin has worked with several Fortune 500 brands including Microsoft, Intel, Oracle, AMD, NetApp, Hitachi Data Systems, Siebel Systems and Hewlett-Packard, among others. She has also worked with leading brands including Cadbury, Schweppes, Foster Farms, Jacuzzi, Wells Fargo, DHL, AT&T and Palm.

“This is a seminal moment for the Yahoo! brand and for the business overall,” said Baldwin. “I am delighted to be part of the leadership team that will take Yahoo! to the next level as we evolve our brand strategy worldwide.”

via Yahoo!

Northstar Creative, based in downtown Greenville, announces the launch of a website for Carolina Safety Consultants at www.csc-llc.net. Carolina Safety Consultants helps its clients provide a safer workplace and an even more competitive position in their industry. Northstar Creative developed an informative site that will help CSC in their presentations to potential clients.

“We enjoyed working with Carolina Safety Consultants,” says Laura MacPherson, president of Northstar Creative. “They are dedicated to safety and make it an enjoyable exercise for their clients—they have fun with it.”

via: Northstar Creative

Customer Effective Inc., a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and value-added reseller of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, has been named 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Financial Services Partner of the Year, chosen from a field of nearly 2,000 entrants worldwide. The award recognizes partners who have exhibited excellence in providing innovative and unique solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics to customers in the financial services industry. Customer Effective has demonstrated industry knowledge and expertise, as well as consistent, high-quality, predictable service to Microsoft Dynamics customers.

“We are very pleased with Microsoft’s recognition of our success in delivering CRM solutions to the unique and demanding requirements of financial services companies,” said Scott Millwood, President of Customer Effective. “I’m really proud of everyone in our company for the hard work they have put into building our customer base and for building superb solutions in complex financial services vertical markets over the past six years. It’s great for the team to see their hard work result in this prestigious award. I’m equally pleased with Microsoft’s continued guidance and support in helping us grow to become the recognized leader in financial services.”

Customer Effective has completed over 300 projects with 170 customers and partners since the company was founded in 2003 to focus exclusively on Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The company’s customers include Bank of America, FBR Capital Markets, First Reserve, Markel Corporation, MAG Mutual Insurance Company, Taylor, Bean and Whitaker, Valmark Securities and CapTrust Financial Advisors. Customer Effective’s success in financial services is based upon deep business process knowledge and delivery of Microsoft Dynamics CRM with “XRM” Accelerators specifically configured to address the sophisticated relational models and processes of financial services micro-verticals.

“Microsoft is proud to recognize Customer Effective as the Microsoft Dynamics Financial Services Partner of the Year,” said David Smith, General Manager, U.S. Microsoft Dynamics Partners, Microsoft Corp. “Customer Effective’s innovative solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM have helped their financial services customers achieve their business goals and succeed. Their Capital Effective CRM solution delivers business-class solutions to financial professionals across insurance, banking, and capital markets.”

via: Customer Effective

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a web site from scratch?

Patterned after a community building effort for a home or a playground, PumpUpTheSite is a day-long community effort to build a better web site for a non-profit organization that can’t afford a much-needed refresh. This time, on July 11, the Greenville Jaycees will get a web site that helps the Jaycees better communicate its goal of building business leaders and supports fundraising efforts.

Aspiring web site builders, established web site professionals, media professionals and the generally curious are invited. Greenville-area web designers, programmers and consultants will gather on Saturday, July 11, to sit down at the OrangeCoat office in Greenville. Their goal is to complete all graphic design, copy and programming necessary to launch the web site at the end of the day.

PumpUpTheSite is looking for people with any level of skill who are willing to help build the site. The participants don’t like to work alone, however, so the general public is invited to give feedback and support as the site is being built.

There will be plenty of seats for participants and spectators alike, and food will be provided by our sponsors. Simply register (for free) at www.pumpupthesite.com.This event is limited to the first 50 registrants.

The Jaycees helps young adults build the skills needed to be successful at work through service projects. The Greenville chapter of this international charitable organization raises thousands of dollars annually for Camp Hope, a summer camp for disabled adults, and special events like the Christmas Shopping tour supporting the Boys and Girls Club.

PumpUpTheSite has been organized by OrangeCoat, View Digital Media and Nullvariable Web Consulting.

via: www.PumpUpTheSite.com

I asked PepWorks Chief Encouragement Officer, and upcoming presenter, Greg Blake, what the audience should expect to hear on July 8th. This is what he told me:

The Opening Line of the Tale of Two Cities says…

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times These are truly the times that try men’s souls.. and women’s souls.

A billboard in Atlanta sums it all up, “Due to the recent stimulus package, bailouts and current market conditions, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.”

Our 401 Ks have become K’s at best. So how do you keep your sanity in a world seemingly gone insane? How do you thrive and not just survive?

How do you get stressed for success in times of economic distress?

You will learn 5 Lifeblood Principles to help you Boom in Times of gloom

• Passion, Priorities and Purpose are paramount
• Lead with integrity character and ethical behavior
• Accept and embrace change in a changing technological world
• Share your heart with your people along with your mind
• Make a difference in the life of one person today
• Attitude and a true north mindset is crucial for success

Success is what we do WITH others on a day to day basis

Join us for all of this and more at the GSATC Learning Lunch on July 8!

AFL Network Services, a leader of integrated network solutions for the hospitality and telecommunications industry, announces it was selected to install state-of-the-art network infrastructure as part of Peabody Hotel Group’s $450 million expansion of the Peabody Orlando. AFL will provide engineering support, materials, and installation for the voice, data and video networks.

Given the high rate of leisure traffic and ranking as the nation’s No. 2 convention destination, Orlando has a reputation for some of the best hotels in the country. At the top of the list is the Peabody Hotel, one of the most luxurious sites in the city and neighbor to the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive. Priding itself on catering to the meetings and conventions industry nationwide, the Peabody Hotel has established itself as the Orlando convention hotel of choice for the nation’s professional meeting planners. In order to accommodate the many vacationers and business executives that travel to the area week in and week out, the Peabody sought to expand its operations, adding a new tower to its existing properties.

“We selected AFL as our service provider out of a group of highly-qualified contenders,” said Michael Craft, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Peabody Hotel Group. “This project is critical to our company and is very complex due to its size, as well as the quality that we are demanding of the completed product. We believe AFL is well- qualified to handle the cabling component of the project, and are counting on it to meet our technical requirements on schedule and on budget. We are very pleased with how AFL’s work is progressing thus far”.

With a target completion date of Fall 2010, the Peabody expansion includes a new 32-story guest room tower. With 1,641 luxurious rooms the Peabody Orlando will become the largest four star hotel in North America, excluding casino properties. Other project highlights include a 55,000 square foot ballroom, three new pools and a 2,100 vehicle parking garage. From conference room to poolside cabana, all guest areas of the hotel will have access to a wide range of technology amenities.

AFL Network Services scope of work includes the installation of nearly one million feet of Cat5e cabling, intended for voice applications, and RG-6 coaxial cable will be installed for transmitting cable television and other video applications. Approximately one million feet of Cat6 cable with connectivity will be installed to allow for a high-speed data infrastructure, helping facilitate records, billing, and information that the hotel will store in its computers. The data infrastructure will also transmit digital signage information throughout the hotel and convention center. The entire fiber backbone will consist of AFL fiber and connectors.

“AFL Network Services is extremely pleased to be selected for such an exciting project. The scope of this project is a showcase for AFL’s expertise with end-to-end network solutions and value engineering. We look forward to celebrating the grand opening of the new expansion,” stated Kent Brown – Vice President, Enterprise of AFL Network Services.

AFL Network Services’ mission is to provide advanced hospitality technology and network management services. AFL not only provides expertise in end-to-end network solutions, but partners with clients to ensure guest satisfaction and loyalty. Whether building, upgrading or expanding network communication systems, AFL has extensive knowledge of the latest technologies in the industry.

via AFL Network Services

The Greenville Area Development Corporation, the county-chartered organization tasked with promoting and enhancing the economic growth of Greenville County, announced the naming of four Upstate leaders to officer positions on the organization’s Board of Directors for 2009-10.

GADC President & CEO Jerry Howard announced the election of Mike Buiter as chairman, Jo Watson Hackl as vice chair, Scott Case as secretary, and Ray Lattimore as treasurer.

“All four of these leaders are knowledgeable about the Greenville community and have historically played important, participative roles in helping to attract quality jobs to Greenville County,” said Howard in making the announcement. “They will make an exceptional leadership team for our community and for this organization.”

Mr. Buiter is a professor in the School of Business at Bob Jones University where he teaches both graduate and undergraduate classes in accounting, accounting theory, business strategy and entrepreneurship. He is the former vice president of finance for Dr. Pepper/Seven-Up Companies, Inc. prior to retiring in 1995, when he was named chief executive officer of BJU Press in Greenville. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Greenville Area Development Corporation since 2005, is a certified public accountant, and serves on the board of The Wilds Christian Camp.

Ms. Hackl is an attorney with the Greenville-based law firm Wyche Burgess Freeman & Parham, P.A., a Trustee of both the Community Foundation of Greenville and The Children’s Museum, and President-Elect of the Greenville Professional Women’s Forum. Long active in civic causes and a member of the United Way Campaign Cabinet, she is a founder of the SPARKS mentoring program and a Liberty Fellow.

Mr. Lattimore is president and chief executive officer of Marketplace Staffing Services. He is a founding member and past chairman of the GADC, active with the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greenville County, a Liberty Fellow, and a member of the advisory board of BB&T.

Mr. Case is the current Greenville County auditor, a former member of Greenville County Council, and an active supporter of other economic development organizations serving Greenville County, including the Upstate Alliance and Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

The new officers succeed outgoing chairman Jay Rogers, outgoing treasurer Susan Hoag, and outgoing secretary Bill Engle. Mr. Buiter previously served as vice chairman of the GADC.

Since its inception in 2001, the Greenville Area Development Corporation has announced support of more than 140 major projects representing more than $1.9 billion in capital investment and creating in excess of 8,960 new jobs. Private sector support of the GADC has also reached an all-time high, with more than 125 investor companies now contributing to the community’s and GADC’s success.

Howard expressed appreciation to the individuals whose terms were expiring for their service on the Board and to the community. “Each of these outgoing officers has played a significant role in helping move forward Greenville’s economic development mission and for that we are immensely grateful,” said Howard.

via: GADC

The first-ever ConvergeSC conference will take place on Saturday, June 27, at Amoco Hall on the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia, S.C. At this one-day event, web designers, web developers, and marketing and sales professionals whose careers involve the Web, will converge to gain insight into the Web industry from some of the brightest and best speakers in South Carolina and the Southeast.

Gene Crawford, President of PeriodThree, a web development firm, and co-founder of the conference, says that ConvergeSC grew from the need among web-focused groups to help build a more connected web community that does not exist formally in South Carolina.

“We’re spread out, working hard with our heads down,” explains Crawford. “ConvergeSC is an opportunity to educate and inspire each other to do better work. When you leave, we hope that you’re on a mission to build or design something amazing for yourselves and your clients. Whether you’re a hard core designer or a web or marketing intern, ConvergeSC is for you.”

ConvergeSC is for: web designers, web developers, business professionals, marketing professionals, content creators, and students.

Where: Amoco Hall, Swearingen Building, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Carolina, 301 Main Street, Columbia, S.C.

When: Saturday, June 27.

To register online, go to www.convergesc.org.